August 2012 – Page 7 – Balding Blog

August 7, 2012

I’m an Actor and My Hairline Is Either Receding or Maturing – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Fan from the UK here! Thanks so much for ‘baldingblog.com’, it’s a fantastic source that I use very regularly.

My question is this: If I were to start taking Propecia, and then cease usage after, say, 6 months, would my hair regress to how it would’ve been if I hadn’t ever taken the drug, or would it be worse?

I ask as I have noticed a change in my hairline. It’s either mature – or it’s receding. Nowhere in London seems to utilise your hair diagnosis techniques (miniturization study etc.) so I would like to come to you, but I am not visiting LA until January next year.

If I visited a doctor here, as a precautionary measure, and ended up getting on Propecia – only to be told by you 6 months later that it was just a mature hairline, would I have done myself any irreversible harm?

I am an actor so, unfortunately, a receding hairline would not only make me a little sad – but would also make getting parts a little more difficult, so I want to act (excuse the pun) sooner rather than later.

Thanks, and all the best.

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You must understand some basic facts:

Propecia does not work that well for regrowing a frontal hairline and I wouldn’t expect it to do much at all for a maturing hairline. It is mainly used for the top crown area.
Propecia should not be taken for precautionary measures. You take Propecia because you have a diagnosis of androgenic alopecia and you want to treat it.

With these facts, you can make an educated decision. There is no simple answer and there is no simple cure for hair loss.

As an actor, you shouldn’t be too worried about the receding hairline. I am sure there are plenty of parts out there for you. Just look at Jason Statham. I don’t think he has any trouble with his career or even being a sex symbol. I guess it depends on what acting roles you’re up for.

With that said, a few now-famous actors (who will remain nameless) decided that they wanted their juvenile hairline back or wanted to stabilize the maturing hairline at a younger look, so they came to us for hair transplants. These men credit their career to me for the transplant. Having seen them on film, it was evident that they had great talent and the hair probably just gave them the confidence they needed to let their talent loose… and sadly to say for my ego, I had little to do with their success.

August 7, 2012

Hair Transplant for Someone with Diffuse Thinning on Top? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Doctor,
I began to notice a bald spot on my upper left crown about 7 years ago (I am in my mid 30s) and have been on Propecia and Rogaine ever since. This regimen has given me good results. However, in the last few years, I have began to notice diffuse thinning on the top of my head (it is worst in summer). Currently, the bald spot is still on my upper left crown but the hair on my crown (and hairline) is thick.

My question is, when is someone with diffuse thinning a candidate for a hair restoration procedure? The diffuse thinning is getting to the point that it is noticeable even when I am not in bright lights. My potential donor hair is extremely thick.

Thank you

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Believe it or not, the definition of “diffuse thinning” is highly variable for patients who are describing their hair status. So I would not know if you would be a candidate for a hair transplant surgery. You need a physical examination for that option.

In general, if you have thinning on the top or crown area, many patients who choose to have a hair transplant will get good results. For thinning in a young man, I generally recommend a trial of finasteride for 8-12 months prior to recommending surgery, as many young men will reverse enough of the thinning to avoid surgery.

August 7, 2012

I’ve Had Severe Hair Loss Ever Since I Had Typhoid Months Ago – Balding Blog

Hi Doc,

I am 34 yrs old and I suffered from typhoid in the months of march-april 2012 and since mid May I am experiencing severe hair loss. I never had issues of Dandruff or any other scalp related diseases. What are the chances of hair regrowth and how long with the hair fall continue? I am currently taking Xtraglo tablet at night and an Iron tablet in the morning.

Hair loss can arise from extreme stress and medical illness. It generally reverses and hairs do grow back provided that the patient did not accelerate the male pattern balding that he may have had from his genetics. It does take up to a full year at the least for the hair to return.

August 6, 2012

Gluten and Baldness? – Balding Blog

Hello Doctor Rassman,

Love your blog. My question is, is there a link between consuming gluten and premature baldness? I’ve read quite a few articles about it, and part of me believes it’s just crazy talk, but I’m wondering. Obviously, there are plenty of people who eat gluten and never bald, but if it’s a person’s destiny to be bald and they consume a lot of gluten at a young age, can that cause the onset?

Thanks for your time!

I think gluten free diets have gained popularity and boasts many health benefits. With respect to hair loss and its link to gluten, I remain fixed on my stance. Male pattern hair loss is a genetic issue (not a diet issue). Perhaps certain diets may accelerate or trigger the balding process, but these things are all speculative.

August 3, 2012

SMP Result (with Photos) – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

This patient did not like his hairline and keeping his hair very, very short was a reasonable option for him. He achieved these results with Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) when he walked out of the office the same day he came in. Many patients play with their hair length until they find the right length for their new look, and once he clips his hair a little shorter the effect will be more complete.

The photos below show the story. The following results are with only ONE (1) SMP session – For better even coverage he will follow up for the second or third sessions. Click to enlarge.

Here’s a close-up shot of the SMP:

August 2, 2012

I Had 4 Different Surgeons Give Me 4 Wildly Different Assessments of My Donor Area – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Doctor
I am having consultations with well respected surgeons in Europe. I’ve had two strip HTs in the past and i’m looking into another one. What astounds me is the very diverse opinions i’m getting regarding my donor area supply for another strip. One surgeon tells me it is depleted, another tells me it can yield no more than 1000 grafts, another one tells me i could have as much as 1300, the other one claims he can safely extract at least 2000 – 2200 grafts, and the last one claims i could have 800 grafts but it comes with risk.

I understand that the donor assessment is quite simple elasticity + density + strip size. Shouldn’t there be more or less unanimity on how much grafts can be extracted? How come i get such diverse opinions?

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The answer is simple — there is no formal training that hair transplant doctors go through, so their experience and assessment can be highly variable (as well as their credentials).

Another possibility for the large graft range difference could be that some doctors are not equipped to do a 2200 graft case, and may only be able to do a 800 graft case (having less experienced staff or skills).

Out of curiosity, if you previously had two hair transplant surgeries and the results were satisfactory, why did you consult with four different doctors for your next procedure? My point being, if you were perfectly happy with the first surgeon and you trust him/her, wouldn’t you go back to the same surgeon?

August 2, 2012

Prostaglandin D2 and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr,

Do you have any theories or ideas as to how prostogladin d2 (studies recently show bald men to have higher levels in the scalp) fits in with the factors which we know contribute to hair loss like genetics and DHT?

Is this something you discuss with your fellow professionals and do you think that this discovery of PGD2 will lead to less invasive ways to slow or stop hair loss any time soon?

I’m asking as somebody who can’t take propecia due to side effects who wishes there was another way!

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Researchers have found that Prostaglandin D2 is present in bald scalp and not in a hairy scalp. The suggestion is that PGD2 is an inhibitor of hair growth in AGA and some researchers believe that the PGD2-GPR44 pathway is a potential target for treatment.

This is still in the research area and there is no drug that I am aware of that will be available clinically at this time. I’m always hopeful for new proven treatments, but whether this is one of them remains to be seen.

August 2, 2012

Propecia and Clenbuterol – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’m about to start taking Propecia, but I’m currently taking fat burners called Clenbuterol

Will it be ok to take both at the same time?

Many thanks

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I have not found anything that suggests a problem mixing these two drugs, but I know very little about clenbuterol other than its use in breathing disorders (chronic asthma) and as an enhancement drug for athletic competitors. You need to do your research and possibly speak with the doctor who is prescribing your Propecia.

August 2, 2012

Can Norwood Class 3 Only Have Deep Corner Recession? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassmann:

Your site is an excellent resource. Thanks a bunch.

Is it possible to have a norwood three pattern with no frontal recession? In other words, can deep corner recession alone constitute a Norwood three?

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Yes, deep recession in the corners with a normal central or low central hairline can co-exist when the forelock is persistent. This is actually quite common. The forelock is genetically coded differently than the frontal area in some families.

August 1, 2012

I Take a Cut Proscar Tablet 6 Times a Week – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi i’ve currently been taking Proscar 5mg tablets cut into quarters I take it 6 times a week and have a 1 day break (so im intaking 7.5mg per week) I’ve been on the drug for close to 4 months. firstly is this acceptable or should I be looking to take it every single day?

Also my main question, I have alot of vellus like hairs some grow to a centimetre or so some are eternally lingering around 1mm, small and blonde my plan with finasteride is to revert these hairs back to the terminal stage, I’ve noticed my remaining terminal hairs look stronger right now but im wondering the rough timescale of when I should see my vellus hairs growing in stronger, I know everybody responds differently but if you could ball park the average for me and maybe explain what I should see process wise (does anything change to let me know etc) if the medication is working for me. Many thanks!

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This should be discussed with the doctor that prescribed you the medication. In general, the recommended treatment for male pattern baldness is 1mg finasteride per day. Many patients break up the 5mg finasteride pill into four pieces and take 1.25 mg per day with no issues. The half life of finasteride (Propecia) is about 4 hours, so after 24 hours almost all of the medication is out of your blood stream (even if you took a 5mg dose or 1mg dose or 1.25mg dose). Thus, the medication is meant to be taken daily (without skipping) so that you maintain a consistent level in your blood stream. It is not a cumulative dose over a week. You cannot take a 7mg pill once every seven days and expect it to work the same as taking 1mg daily for 7 days.

Finally, without an examination I really do not have any way to know if the medication is working for you. Ideally, one would have a measurement done before you started the medication (such as a photograph, miniaturization study, or bulk measurements) and compare this with a follow-up measurement. Otherwise it is just a subjective guess.

The Propecia timeline for results can be found here.